Door blocking device

ABSTRACT

A door blocking device for engaging a lower edge portion of an inner side of a door and the floor to prevent forced opening movement of the door. The blocking device includes a bracket having portions engageable with a lower edge and a lower edge portion of the inner side of the door and a stop member hingedly connected to the bracket and adapted to incline downwardly and away from same with a floor engaging foot on the free end thereof. A latch member is connected by a link to the bracket, said latch member being selectively engaged with the stop member to hold same at selected inclination and to prevent opening movement of the door.

[ 1 May8,1973

[54] DOOR BLOCKING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Howard W. Woodruii, 7231 Sycamore, Kansas City, Mo. 64133 [22] Filed: Oct. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 192,518

1,595,555 8/1926 Kooser ..292/267 2,964,780 12/1960 Blankenship ..16/82 2,760,806 8/1956 Woodard et al.... ..292/338 2,709,614 5/1955 King .292/339 2,739,005 3/1956 Naffliger. 292/339 182,883 10/1876 Ball ..292/339 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 530,492 12/1921 France ..292/338 Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel Assistant Examiner-Peter A. Aschenbrenner Attorney-Claude A. Fishburn et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A door blocking device for engaging a lower edge portion of an inner side of a door and the floor to prevent forced opening movement of the door. The blocking device includes a bracket having portions engageable with a lower edge and a lower edge portion of the inner side of the door and a stop member hingedly connected to the bracket and adapted to incline downwardly and away from same with a floor engaging foot on the free end thereof. A latch member is connected by a link to the bracket, said latch member being selectively engaged with the stop member to hold same at selected inclination and to prevent opening movement of the door.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures DOOR BLOCKING DEVICE The present invention relates to door blocking devices and more particularly to a door blocking device for engaging a lower edge portion of an inner side of a door to prevent forcible opening movement of the door. Heretofore, door stop structures have had many forms, but most would permit a door to be moved back and forth to dislodge the stop or the stop could be pushed sidewise by a tool pushed under the door to apply lateral force and thereby be ineffective.

The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide a door blocking device for engaging a lower edge portion of an inner side of a door and that overcomes the aforementioned difficulties; to provide a door blocking device with a bracket engaging a door and an inclined stop member secured at selected inclinations to engage a floor; to provide such a door blocking device particularly adapted to prevent unauthorized entry into a room, house, building, or the like; to provide such a door blocking device adapted to prevent back and forth movement of a door loosening engagement of the door blocking device with a floor therebeneath; to provide such a door blocking device constructed to substantially prevent disengagement of respective portions thereof with a door and the floor therebeneath; to provide such a door blocking device which is collapsible and protable for use when traveling; and to provide such a door blocking device which is easily erected and installed, economical to manufacture, durable in construction, positive in use, and particularly well adapted for the intended use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include an exemplary embodiment illustrating various objects and features of the door blocking device of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a door having mounted thereon a door blocking device embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the door blocking device mounted on a door.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the door blocking device.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the door blocking device shown in a collapsed position for storage.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims andas a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention the reference numeral 1 generally designates a doorblocking device for engaging a lower edge portion 2 of an inner side 3 of a door 4 and a floor to prevent movement of the door 4 toward the door blocking device 1 thereby preventing entry into a room, building, house or the like, by opening the respective door.

The door blocking device 1 includes a bracket 5 having a foot portion 6 and an upright portion 7 engageable with a lower edge 8 and the lower edge portion 2 of the innerside 3 of the door 4 respectively and a stop member 9 hingedly connected to the bracket 5 and having a floor engaging foot 10 on one end thereof and a latch member 11 connected to a link 12 having one end 13 thereof and a latch member 11 being selectively engageable with portions of the stop member 9 to thereby hold same at selected inclinations and to prevent movement of the door 4 toward the door blocking device 1.

In the illustrated structure the stop member 9 has a plurality of spaced notches 14 in an outer face 15. The bracket 5 is generally L-shaped and the upright portion 7 has a protective covering 16 on one surface thereof to engage the inner side 3 of the door 4 on the lower edge portion 2 thereof. It is desirable that the protective covering 16 be formed. of a material which will not damage or mar the surface of the inner side 3 of the door 4 when the door blocking device 1 is installed thereon, such as a non-abrasive and non-metallic material including rubber, felt, and the like.

The foot portion 6 of the bracket 5 extends outwardly from a lower end of the upright portion 7 and is adapted to cooperate with the stop member 9 and foot 10 for maintaining the bracket 5 and the door blocking device I mounted on the door 4. The illustrated foot portion 6 has a plurality of upwardly extending projections 17 engageable with the lower edge 8 of the door 4 and is particularly effective for use with wood doors;

The stop member 9 is an elongated planar member having an inner surface 18 positioned in facing relation with the upright portion 7 of the bracket 5. The stop member 9 is movable relative to the upright portion 7 of the bracket 5 to position the floor engaging foot 10 at a proper spacing from the door 4, as determined by the distance between the lower edge 8 of the door 4 and a floor surface 19. I

In the illustrated structure, upper ends of the upright portion 7 and the stop member 9 are suitably hingedly connected as by aligned hinge eyes and a hinge pin 20 extending the'rethrough for pivotal movement of the stop member 9 between a position substantially parallel with the upright portion 7 and an inclined position forming an acute angle therewith when erected.

' The notches 14 are formed in the outer surface 15 of the stop member 9 and extend transversely of the longitudinal dimension thereof to receive the latch member 1 1, as later described.

The floor engaging foot 10 is mounted on the free end of the stop member 9 and is preferably formed of friction slide-resistant material adapted to resist a force on the door 4 tending to move the door toward the floor engaging foot 10. The stop member 9 has a length sufficiently longer than the upright portion 7 plus the distance between the lower edge 8 of the door 4 and the floor surface. 19 whereby the door blocking device 1 may assume a substantially A-frarne shape, when installed onthe door 4 and when the foot 10 is in engagement with the floor surface 19.

The link 12 is a generally U-shaped member having the one end 13 thereof hingedly or pivotally connected to the bracket 5 intermediate the ends of the upright portion 7 thereof. The link 12 is movable between a position adjacent the upright portion 7 ans a position substantially normal thereto and the link 12 is formed of legs 21 and 22 positioned to have the stop member 9 movable therebetween and a connection portion 23 extending between the legs 21 and 22 and positioned adjacent the outer surface 15 of the stop member 9.

The latch member may be of any suitable form to positively engage the stop member at selected locations. In the illustrated structure, the latch member 11 is hingedly or pivotally mounted on the connection portion 23 of the link 12 and has an arcuate first portion 24 having a detent or end 25 adapted to be received within one of the plurality of notches 14 and engage opposed shoulders 26 and 27 defining same to thereby prevent collapsing of the door blocking device 1 when the door 4 is moved toward the foot 10 on the stop member 9. The latch member 11 has a second portion 23 having an end portion 29 engageable with the outer surface 15 of the stop member 9 to cooperate with the first portion 24 to prevent movement of the latch member 11 when a force is applied to the door 4 attempting to move same toward the door blocking device 1.

The mounting of the latch member 11 on the link 12 is intermediate the ends of the latch member 11 and the spacing between the end 25 of the first portion 24 and the connection portion 23 of the link 12 is substantially less than the spacing between the end portion 29 of the second portion 28 and the connection portion 23 of the link 12 whereby the latch member 11 has the center thereof below the mounting of the latch member 1 l on the connection portion 23 of the link 12 to thereby effect a toggle action of the end portion 29 relative to the end 25 of the first portion 24.

The toggle action tends to maintain the end portion 29 and the end 25 in engagement with respective portions of the stop member 9 when a force is applied to link 12 by attempted opening movement of the door 4 toward the stop member 9.

In using a door blocking device constructed as illustrated and described, the bracket 5 is placed in engagement with the inner side 3 of the door 4 with the foot portion 6 engaging the lower edge 8 and the protective covering or member 16 on the upright portion 7 engaging the inner side 3 of the lower edge portion 2. The stop member 8 is positioned with the floor engaging foot 10 laterally spaced from the inner side 3 of the door 4 and the link 12 is moved to position the end or detent 25 of the first portion 24 in a selected one of the plurality of notches 14 in the outer surface 15 of the stop member 9 and the end portion 29 of the second portion 28 of the latch member 11 is positioned in engagement with the outer surface 15 of the stop member 9 to thereby effect a brace between the bracket 5 and the stop member 9 to substantially prevent movement of the door 4 toward the door blocking device 1. The force on the link 12 effects a downward force on the stop member 9 and a force on the end portion 29 to move same toward the outer surface 15 and a force on the end to move same toward one of the shoulders to thereby maintain the latch member 11 in engagement with the stop member 9 whereby the link 12 effects a brace between the bracket 5 and the stop member 9 to cooperate with the foot 10 to resist opening movement of the door 4.

It is to be understood that while 1 have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be ing movement away from a floor when the door is released for movement;

c. a plurality of spaced notches on said stop member extending transversely thereof;

d. a link having one end pivotally mounted on said bracket between the lower edge of the door and said one end of the stop member, said link having the other end thereof extending aroundsaid stop member;

e. a latch member pivotally mounted on the other end of the link and having a detent engageable within a selected one of said notches in said stop member, said latch member having a portion engageable with said stop member in spaced relation to the detent to limit relative motion of the latch member and link; said link, pivotal mounting of the latch member and engagement of the detent with a notch providing a toggle retaining the latch member engaged with the stop member.

2. A door blocking device as set forth in Claim 1 wherein:

a. said stop member has a foot mounted on the one end thereof;

the foot is formed of friction slide-resistant materic. said bracket is L-shaped and has an upright portion having one surface in facing relation with one side of the door and a foot portion engageable with the lower edge of the door; I

. the one surface of the upright portion has a protective member thereon and engageable with the one side of the door; and

e. the protective member is formed of a non-abrasive and non-metallic material. a

3. A door blocking device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bracket includes:

a. an upright portion having one surface thereof in facing relation with one side of the door and an other surface thereof in facing relation with said stop member;

b. a foot portion extending outwardly from a lower end of said upright portion and engageable with the lower edge of the door;

c. a plurality of projections extending upwardly from i said foot portion and engageable with the lower edge of the door; and

d. a protective member on the one surface of said upright portion to engage the one side of the door, said protective member being formed of a nonabrasive and non-metallic material.

4. A door blocking device comprising:

a. a bracket for engaging a lower face portion of a door, said bracket having a portion engaging a lower edge of the door, said bracket including:

1. an upright portion having one surface thereof in facing relation with one side of the door and an other surface thereof in facing relation with said stop member;

2. a foot portion extending outwardly from a lower end of said upright portion and engageable with the lower edge of the door;

3. a plurality of projections extending upwardly from said foot portion and engageable with the lower edge of the door; and

4. a protective member on the one surface of said upright portion to engage the one side of the door, said protective member being formed of a non-abrasive and non-metallic material;

. a stop member having one end thereof engageable with a floor therebeneath and the other end hingedly connected on said bracket;

. said stop member has an upper end thereof hinsaid stop member has a plurality of spaced notches in the outer surface thereof;

. said stop member has a floor engaging foot on a lower end thereof, said foot is formed of friction slide-resistant material;

. means mounted on said bracket and engageable with said stop member for holding same in selected inclined relation and in engagement with the floor to substantially prevent opening movement of the door, said holding means including:

. said link is a generally U-shaped member having a mounting portion thereof adjacent the outer surface of said stop member whereby said link extends around said stop member to define a maximum angle formed between said bracket and said stop member; and

. said latch member a first portion having said detent on one end thereof and a second portion having an end portion engageable with the outer surface of said stop member.

5. A door blocking device as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

a. said latch member is mounted on said mounting portion of said link adjacent the outer surface of said stop member;

b. the mounting of said latch member is intermediate the ends of said latch member; and

c. the spacing between said detent and the mounting portion of said link is substantially less than the spacing between said end portion of said second portion and the mounting portion of said link to effect a toggle action. 

1. A blocking device for resisting opening movement of a door comprising: a. a bracket for engaging a lower face portion of a door, said bracket having a portion engaging a lower edge of the door; b. a rigid stop member having one end thereof engageable with a floor therebeneath and the other end hingedly connected on said bracket for swinging movement away from a floor when the door is released for movement; C. a plurality of spaced notches on said stop member extending transversely thereof; d. a link having one end pivotally mounted on said bracket between the lower edge of the door and said one end of the stop member, said link having the other end thereof extending around said stop member; e. a latch member pivotally mounted on the other end of the link and having a detent engageable within a selected one of said notches in said stop member, said latch member having a portion engageable with said stop member in spaced relation to the detent to limit relative motion of the latch member and link; said link, pivotal mounting of the latch member and engagement of the detent with a notch providing a toggle retaining the latch member engaged with the stop member.
 2. A door blocking device as set forth in Claim 1 wherein: a. said stop member has a foot mounted on the one end thereof; b. the foot is formed of friction slide-resistant material; c. said bracket is L-shaped and has an upright portion having one surface in facing relation with one side of the door and a foot portion engageable with the lower edge of the door; d. the one surface of the upright portion has a protective member thereon and engageable with the one side of the door; and e. the protective member is formed of a non-abrasive and non-metallic material.
 2. a foot portion extending outwardly from a lower end of said upright portion and engageable with the lower edge of the door;
 2. a latch member pivotally mOunted on the other end of said link; and
 3. a plurality of projections extending upwardly from said foot portion and engageable with the lower edge of the door; and
 3. A door blocking device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bracket includes: a. an upright portion having one surface thereof in facing relation with one side of the door and an other surface thereof in facing relation with said stop member; b. a foot portion extending outwardly from a lower end of said upright portion and engageable with the lower edge of the door; c. a plurality of projections extending upwardly from said foot portion and engageable with the lower edge of the door; and d. a protective member on the one surface of said upright portion to engage the one side of the door, said protective member being formed of a non-abrasive and non-metallic material.
 3. a detent on said latch member and selectively engageable within one of said plurality of notches in the outer surface of said stop member; g. said link is a generally U-shaped member having a mounting portion thereof adjacent the outer surface of said stop member whereby said link extends around said stop member to define a maximum angle formed between said bracket and said stop member; and h. said latch member has a first portion having said detent on one end thereof and a second portion having an end portion engageable with the outer surface of said stop member.
 4. A door blocking device comprising: a. a bracket for engaging a lower face portion of a door, said bracket having a portion engaging a lower edge of the door, said bracket including:
 4. a protective member on the one surface of said upright portion to engage the one side of the door, said protective member being formed of a non-abrasive and non-metallic material; b. a stop member having one end thereof engageable with a floor therebeneath and the other end hingedly connected on said bracket; c. said stop member has an upper end thereof hingedly connected to an upper end of said upright portion of said bracket, said stop member has an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface of said stop member is in facing relation with the other surface of said stop member; d. said stop member has a plurality of spaced notches in the outer surface thereof; e. said stop member has a floor engaging foot on a lower end thereof, said foot is formed of friction slide-resistant material; f. means mounted on said bracket and engageable with said stop member for holding same in selected inclined relation and in engagement with the floor to substantially prevent opening movement of the door, said holding means including:
 5. A door blocking device as set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. said latch member is mounted on said mounting portion of said link adjacent the outer surface of said stop member; b. the mounting of said latch member is intermediate the ends of said latch member; and c. the spacing between said detent and the mounting portion of said link is substantially less than the spacing between said end portion of said second portion and the mounting portion of said link to effect a toggle action. 